LITTLE ROCK (AP) — An attorney for an Arkansas doctor convicted of possessing child pornography 13 years ago told a federal judge Thursday that a new state law prohibiting registered sex offenders from receiving Medicaid funds is more about politics than serving the public good.

Attorneys for Dr. Lonnie Joseph Parker and the state appeared before a federal judge over Parker’s efforts to temporarily block enforcement of the ban, approved earlier this year by the state Legislature, as he challenges its constitutionality. Parker, who practices in Hope, was convicted in 2000 of possessing child pornography but has long maintained his innocence.

John Hardy, Parker’s attorney, argued that there was no rational basis for the state to prohibit his client from receiving Medicaid reimbursements merely because of his status as a registered sex offender.

Parker served more than four years in prison. In 2005, the state Medical Board reinstated his license to practice medicine in Arkansas.

Earlier this month, Parker and three of his patients filed a lawsuit challenging the restriction on Medicaid, the federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the needy and disabled.

An attorney for the state Department of Human Services said Arkansas has a legitimate interest in protecting its Medicaid patients and that the restriction fits in with that long-standing policy. DHS attorney Mark White cited the close and personal interaction that patients have with their doctors as a reason for needing that protection.

“The state has a public policy interest in ensuring those individuals who receive health care paid for by the state are protected from sex offenders,” White said.

Lawmakers approved the restriction earlier this year after an audit noted that Parker had received more than $489,000 in Medicaid payments. It took effect Aug. 16.

Parker has argued that the move would effectively end his practice, since 75 percent of his nearly 2,000 patients are recipients of Medicaid. Testifying Thursday, Parker said he’s already seen business at his clinic drop since the prohibition took effect and has had to take out a loan to keep it open.

“It would make it where I would have to ask an injured person what kind of insurance they have before rendering care,” Parker said. “And that’s untenable.”

Wilson did not immediately rule from the bench. He said he wanted attorneys for the state to point to research over the next week that shows a link between types of child pornography and examples of harm to patients.